LUX* Resorts & Hotels is delighted to announce that it was awarded by COTRI (the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute) with the Gold Award for Services 2014 at the CTW 2014 (Chinese Tourists Welcoming Awards).

The recognition was given during the China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market – COTTM Tourism Industry Fair, held in April in Beijing.COTRI is a leading worldwide independent research institute for analysis, consulting and quality assessment with a head office in Germany, and a significant presence in China working with the Chinese Outbound Tourism market; they recognize annually the best foreign suppliers of travel services to the Chinese market, in seven categories: Innovation, Internet/Media, Service Quality, Marketing, Social Media Marketing and Retail and Overall Performance.

This year, the awards were presented by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Georg Arlt, director of COTRI, who chaired the CTW Award ceremony. The CTW 2014 Gold Award for Services is a prestigious international accolade which recognizes LUX* Resorts & Hotels’ efforts in the past years to position itself as an attractive and welcoming resort brand for the Chinese travelers. The first Mauritian resort group to implement a sustained and comprehensive program geared towards making Chinese guests welcome.

LUX* has introduced its “TIE XIN” concept featuring an array of customised amenities and services tailor-made for Chinese travelers. “Tie Xin” means “Close to heart” in Mandarin. The concept is about providing a full suite of amenities and services that are designed specifically with Chinese guests in mind. Chinese guests visiting LUX* will be able to experience this personalised hospitality prior to their arrival and throughout their stay.

This includes: personalised welcome letters prior to the guest arrival, welcome by Chinese speaking team members, Chinese collateral in room and in all outlets, daily Chinese newspapers, weekly activities program in Chinese, tailored tea set in the room, Chinese TV channel and movies, tailored excursions with Chinese speaking guides, Chinese books in the library, Chinese games such as Chinese chess and mahjong, Chinese breakfast and food selection in the East (Asian) restaurant & many more surprises…

It is worth noting that the Chinese market is the fastest growing tourist market in the world. In 2013, 97 million Chinese tourists went abroad; they are also the world’s biggest-spending travelers, likely to have topped the 2012 record of US$102 billion spent abroad. Mauritius welcomed 41,913 Chinese tourists in 2013, up 100.7% from 2012. China is also the number one generating market to the Maldives in terms of arrivals. A total of 331,719 tourist arrivals were recorded from China in year2013. This is a growth of 44.5% compared to 2012.

“We are welcoming increasing number of Chinese guests to our resorts. We have learned a great deal from their cultural expectations and preferences, and they appreciate the mindful Chinese touches that we put in place to make them feel at home.” says Julian Hagger, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at LUX* Resorts & Hotels. And adds “Our goal is to be the preferred choice of resorts for Indian Ocean beach holidays, for the Chinese traveler. We are a well-established and appreciated resort brand in the Chinese travel trade industry, so we’re on the good path to try to reach our goal.”